Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday admitted that some of its top officers are still hesitant to heed the call to submit their courtesy resignation amid the move to cleanse the organization of links to illegal drugs.
‘
“We cannot deny there are some senior officers who have reservation in submitting their courtesy resignation,” PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
‘
Fajardo said some of the higher ranked officials questioned the need for courtesy resignations when those possibly linked to the illegal drug trade have already been identified.
‘
“We cannot deny that if there are one or two PNP personnel identified and caught involved in illegal drugs, it’s not only them that are being implicated in illegal drug activities, it is the whole organization,” she pointed out. “Once and for all, we need to step up and take the lead of making the supreme sacrifice of submitting our courtesy resignation.”
‘
The spokesperson said PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who submitted his courtesy resignation last week, has expressed willingness to talk the hesitant senior officers “to let them feel and explain to them personally the intention of this call for courtesy resignation.”
‘
So far, 60% or around 500 of the 947 generals and full colonels of the PNP have tendered their courtesy resignation, with most assigned to Luzon posts. Resignations from the Visayas and Mindanao are expected to be submitted this week.
‘
The deadline for the submission of courtesy resignations is by the end of January.
‘
Fajardo said the selection process for the five-man panel that will evaluate all top PNP officers is ongoing.
‘
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier said the committee’s assessment will be followed by another review by the National Police Commission.
‘
